William Briwere
Encyclopedia
William Briwere was a medieval Bishop of Exeter
.
, a baron and political leader during King Henry III of England
's minority. Nothing else is known of the younger Briwere's family or where he was educated. He owed the office of precentor at Exeter Cathedral to his uncle's influence, receiving that office about 1208.
Briwere was nominated about 25 November 1223 and consecrated on 21 April 1224. His elevation had been supported by Hubert de Burgh as a means of drawing Briwere's uncle over to the side of de Burgh.
, who was Bishop of Winchester
. An army of other crusaders accompanied them to the East, although whether they were English or mercenaries recruited on the Continent is unclear. The contingent left from Brindisi in August 1227.
Both bishops were influential advisors to Frederick II
the Holy Roman Emperor
. Pope Gregory IX
had ordered that no one collaborate with Frederick, who was at the time excommunicate, but both bishops ignored the papal orders and worked closely with Frederick's agents and Frederick himself. The financial resources both bishops brought were especially appreciated by the crusaders.
Both bishops witnessed the treaty on 18 February 1229 with the Sultan of Cairo that restored Jerusalem to the Christians, the Treaty of Jaffa. Briwere visited Jerusalem after this. How quickly Briwere returned to England is uncertain. Some historians have it that he was back in England by 1229. Others, however point out that he is not attested as being in England until April 1231, and maintain that he travelled with des Roches, who dawdled in Italy for a time.
into his diocese. He also set up the offices of dean
and chancellor of the Exeter Cathedral chapter, allowing the chapter to elect those officers. He also issued a set of statutes for the diocese, based on those recently issued for the diocese of Salisbury.
Briwere was also employed by the king on diplomatic missions, going twice to France and also escorting Henry's sister Isabella
to her marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in 1235.
Briwere died on 24 October 1244. He had sought permission from the pope to resign before his death, but Pope Innocent IV
only granted the permission after Briwere's death.
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
.
Early life
Briwere was the nephew of William BrewerWilliam Brewer (justice)
William Brewer was a prominent administrator and justice in England during the reigns of Richard I, King John, and Henry III...
, a baron and political leader during King Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
's minority. Nothing else is known of the younger Briwere's family or where he was educated. He owed the office of precentor at Exeter Cathedral to his uncle's influence, receiving that office about 1208.
Briwere was nominated about 25 November 1223 and consecrated on 21 April 1224. His elevation had been supported by Hubert de Burgh as a means of drawing Briwere's uncle over to the side of de Burgh.
Crusading bishop
Briwere went on crusade as a proxy for his uncle, who died before he was able to fulfill his crusading vows. The elder Briwere had taken the cross in 1189, but was excused temporarily because of his administrative duties. The nephew had released for his use 4000 marks that had been deposited with the Templars in the Holy Land by his uncle. Briwere went on crusade with Peter des RochesPeter des Roches
Peter des Roches was bishop of Winchester in the reigns of King John of England and his son Henry III. Roches was not an Englishman, but a Poitevin.-Life:...
, who was Bishop of Winchester
Bishop of Winchester
The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
. An army of other crusaders accompanied them to the East, although whether they were English or mercenaries recruited on the Continent is unclear. The contingent left from Brindisi in August 1227.
Both bishops were influential advisors to Frederick II
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...
the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
. Pope Gregory IX
Pope Gregory IX
Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino di Conti, was pope from March 19, 1227 to August 22, 1241.The successor of Pope Honorius III , he fully inherited the traditions of Pope Gregory VII and of his uncle Pope Innocent III , and zealously continued their policy of Papal supremacy.-Early life:Ugolino was...
had ordered that no one collaborate with Frederick, who was at the time excommunicate, but both bishops ignored the papal orders and worked closely with Frederick's agents and Frederick himself. The financial resources both bishops brought were especially appreciated by the crusaders.
Both bishops witnessed the treaty on 18 February 1229 with the Sultan of Cairo that restored Jerusalem to the Christians, the Treaty of Jaffa. Briwere visited Jerusalem after this. How quickly Briwere returned to England is uncertain. Some historians have it that he was back in England by 1229. Others, however point out that he is not attested as being in England until April 1231, and maintain that he travelled with des Roches, who dawdled in Italy for a time.
Time in England
While bishop, Briwere introduced the Dominican OrderDominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
into his diocese. He also set up the offices of dean
Dean of Exeter
The Dean of Exeter is the head of the Chapter of Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter, England. The chapter was established by Bishop William Briwere who set up the offices of Dean and chancellor of Exeter Cathedral, allowing the chapter to elect those officers.The current Dean lives at the...
and chancellor of the Exeter Cathedral chapter, allowing the chapter to elect those officers. He also issued a set of statutes for the diocese, based on those recently issued for the diocese of Salisbury.
Briwere was also employed by the king on diplomatic missions, going twice to France and also escorting Henry's sister Isabella
Isabella of England
For Isabella of England, the daughter of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault, see Isabella de Coucy.Isabella of England, also called Elizabeth was an English princess and, by marriage, Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, and Queen consort of Sicily.-Biography:She was the fourth child but...
to her marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in 1235.
Briwere died on 24 October 1244. He had sought permission from the pope to resign before his death, but Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
only granted the permission after Briwere's death.
External links
- George OliverGeorge Oliver (historian)George Oliver was an English Roman Catholic priest and historian of the Exeter area.-Life:He was born at Newington, Surrey, on 9 February 1781, and was educated, first at Sedgley Park School, Staffordshire, and afterwards at Stonyhurst College...
, Lives of the Bishops of Exeter, entry for William